The "OFFICIAL" HID Light Thread

[junior varsity]

This thread is for people who have upgraded their Headlamp to feature HID light, or replaced the lamp with a different unit that features HID light.

I'm currently contemplating the J W Speaker model 8100.


When you flip on your brights, the low beam (HID) stays on. The dimensions are the standard 7" dia. and 5.4ish" depth.

The mount is different, there's no chance of getting lucky and it being identical to Ducati's. A new mount replacing the U-Shaped bracket that mounts to the lower triple would be needed. Motowheels had such a bracket made for their M944.

I like the 'high-er tech' look of this lamp to replace the diffuser style glass of the stock, and that it puts out more light.

Thoughts on this & What do others have, or are contemplating?

[He Man]

i installed dual bixenons. two 35watt HID on low, and a magnetic housing that moves the bulb on high. too bright to be honest. I can see my light in the back of a car in noon daylight.

[hydra]

i've been thinking about a whole new headlight system and still researching the different options including an HID system.

would i have to replace the battery or use an external transformer of some sort to accomodate the higher wattage?

[junior varsity]

I read the answer is no. These units require a "ballast" unit, included in the 8100 that I'm looking at, and with all the other options, that you tuck away around your airbox (it needs some airflow to stay cool) that does that stuff for you.

[He Man]

Honestly, your better of getting a bixenon kit and doing a small mod to get the housing to fit. Or just go single HID lamp  and do a drop in.  The bixenon is basically useless, mines always on low where i use to always run high on halogen)

[rockaduc]

After much research on this topic last year, I decided to just get a different bulb.  It draws the same power, but puts out the stocker's high beam power on "low" and about 50% more when on "high."  Very noticeable difference for both day and night riding.  Even my riding budies noticed (I didn't tell them what I had done, they just noticed it when we were riding).

[junior varsity]

I have also done that, but when riding in the evening last two or there days ago, I went around a turn and the front end nearly went out from under me - I didn't see the spot of loose dirt and gravel, but must assume that's what it was. I was going about 30, and the entire rest of the ride, I couldn't stop thinking about wanting a brighter light. I even contemplated strapping a miner's helmet light to my Shoei.

[punta]

This thread is for people who have upgraded their Headlamp to feature HID light, or replaced the lamp with a different unit that features HID light.

I'm currently contemplating the J W Speaker model 8100.

When you flip on your brights, the low beam (HID) stays on. The dimensions are the standard 7" dia. and 5.4ish" depth.

The mount is different, there's no chance of getting lucky and it being identical to Ducati's. A new mount replacing the U-Shaped bracket that mounts to the lower triple would be needed. Motowheels had such a bracket made for their M944.

I like the 'high-er tech' look of this lamp to replace the diffuser style glass of the stock, and that it puts out more light.

Thoughts on this & What do others have, or are contemplating?

gday
i installled this unit
http://www.xtralights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1349
it is great massive amount of light incorporates both high and low beams
not much heat from ballast however the lamp gets very hot
the ballast is tiny and very easily concealed behind headlight housing, very happy with it
i havent seen yours b4, i like the modern look, i wonder how it would go mounting it, it seems large
punta

[Rob Hilding]

gday
i installled this unit
http://www.xtralights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1349
it is great massive amount of light incorporates both high and low beams
not much heat from ballast however the lamp gets very hot
the ballast is tiny and very easily concealed behind headlight housing, very happy with it
i havent seen yours b4, i like the modern look, i wonder how it would go mounting it, it seems large
punta

That looks great! Can you give a few more details about what you used and how you "applied" it to your bike,

Stock lens, bucket? etc.

Thanks

Rob

[flsurfdog]

i've been thinking about a whole new headlight system and still researching the different options including an HID system.

would i have to replace the battery or use an external transformer of some sort to accomodate the higher wattage?

HID actually takes quite a bit less wattage than halogen....35 vs 70 i think.   the ballast is used to make a very high voltage....so you'll have to find somewhere to stick the thing (mine's under the seat), but the whole system will draw less power

[He Man]

HID actually takes quite a bit less wattage than halogen....35 vs 70 i think.   the ballast is used to make a very high voltage....so you'll have to find somewhere to stick the thing (mine's under the seat), but the whole system will draw less power

whered you get a harness that long? mine is sitting ontop of my airbox. both of them.

[junior varsity]

The one for the J W Speaker unit I'm looking at has a 3' cord that they really don't want you to modify (shorten or lengthen) says the online manual.

[junior varsity]

The linked unit above (which i really like), has a 4' cord.

[punta]

That looks great! Can you give a few more details about what you used and how you "applied" it to your bike,

Stock lens, bucket? etc.

Thanks

Rob

gday Rob
i had the service guys i use install it, i must admit i dont have the patients for most of the stuff some you guys do to your bikes its great.
i know for a fact all is stock, the "bucket" or headlight housing the lens and the rubber seal and spring, it fits in the housing great as well as the immediate wiring the only thing xtra that was put in was a very small relay and some wiring directly from the battery....
as i said, this exceeds my original expectation of this product, and i did think i would be able to find one where the electronic ballast is so small,
it may seem pricey but i havent seem a HID conversion kit that comes close.
another alternative i was thinking prior to installing this kit was trying to replace the headlight with the ne 696 style by purchasing it from DUCATI spares, just for a differet look. but decide agaist it
i am happy with the mod i have done, and would recommend it anytime...
good luck
punta

[flsurfdog]

whered you get a harness that long? mine is sitting ontop of my airbox. both of them.

mine came with really long wires to the ballast, and really short wires to some of the othor parts...it made wireing the wole thing up pretty lame since some were just too long and others too short.   I ended up hacking the wires to make some longer and some shorter